The Vanner Gallery: The Graduate Art Show and Beyond
The Vanner Gallery has long been dedicated to providing a platform for emerging artists, and through its partnership with The Graduate Art Show, it continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing the careers of early-career talents. Since its inception, The Graduate Art Show has served as a dynamic springboard for artists, offering them exposure and opportunities to further their practices in prestigious spaces. The Vanner Gallery has embraced this mission wholeheartedly, showcasing works by graduates whose practices continue to develop in compelling ways.
In 2023, The Vanner Gallery presented a remarkable selection of emerging artists as part of The Graduate Art Show 2022, many of whom have since gained further acclaim. William Brooks,
found recognition both internationally and locally. His participation in the inaugural Diriyah Arts Futures program in Riyadh marked a significant milestone in his career. Similarly, Anita Chanda received the Clifford Chance/UAL Sculpture Award in 2023, spotlighting her growing influence in the sculptural arts.
Oliver Murdock has become a key figure at The Vanner Gallery. Since his debut at The Graduate Art Show in 2022, he has been invited to showcase his work in subsequent exhibitions. In addition to exhibiting his work , Murdock is a guest judge for this year's Graduate Art Show and is curating the ‘Fragments of Us’ exhibition in April 2025 at The Vanner Gallery, which will feature five young artists, further cementing his role in shaping the gallery’s future exhibitions.
The gallery has also championed artists like Lauren Goldie, winner of The Graduate Art Show 2022. Her work, showcased at Tate Modern, returned to The Vanner Gallery in 2023 for a group exhibition. She will feature again in the ‘Fragments of Us’ exhibition in 2025 and will also serve as a guest judge for The Graduate Art Show 2025.
Martyna Gradziel exhibits regularly and her projects span children's and editorial illustration, book covers, textile and product design, and mural painting. She was shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2024 and won the Aspiring Muralist Competition in Bristol in 2024.
Kelsey Ann Kasom, featured in Vogue Japan and Nasty Magazine, exhibited her work "Fractal Thinking" at the Queens Botanic Gardens for the Creative Climate Awards. Her art raises awareness about climate action and creativity. In 2023, she was selected for Cross Current Gallery: Color, Shape, Space Exhibition and featured in WWD, Fashion Network, ELLE, and Variety as part of the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards.
Sarah Kirk has been a bestselling artist in the Graduate Art Show, showcasing her works at The Vanner Gallery twice and in a separate group show.
Eleni Maragaki, winner of the Muse Residency Award and Tate Christmas Card Competition, has exhibited in LUX Moving Image, London, and Art Station Dubulti, Latvia. Her recent public commission by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation highlighted her significant contribution to the public art landscape. She is also a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
In 2024, several graduate exhibitors continued to gain recognition:
Milly Aburrow showed regularly and will have her first solo show in Bath in 2025. She was also the runner-up for the JUST Art Award 2024.
Rebecca Munday, who has exhibited in several London venues since her participation in the Graduate Art Show, was featured at the ArtWorks Project Space and the Barbican Arts Group Trust in 2024.
Aisha Seriki, winner of the V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography, held her solo show ‘Orí Inú’at DoyleWham Gallery and was shortlisted for the Photo London x Nikon Emerging Photographer Award in 2024.
Lai Sui Wai exhibited widely in 2024, including in the HKOP Print Art Contemporary Fundraising Exhibition in Hong Kong and A Curious Cloud at Soho Revue Gallery, London.
Shinhye You, a notable figure in the ceramics world, exhibited in prestigious London spaces such as Ceramic Art London at Kensington Olympia and Pushkin House, London.
Ongoing Support for Graduate Exhibitors
Several graduates who have exhibited in The Graduate Art Show at The Vanner Gallery have been invited back to showcase their work in subsequent exhibitions. In April 2025, the gallery will present the ‘Fragments of Us’ exhibition, featuring five young artists, including two who first exhibited in the gallery’s debut The Graduate Art Show. This reflects the gallery’s dedication to tracking the progress of its graduate exhibitors and offering continued opportunities whenever possible.
The gallery believes in the founding ethos of The Graduate Art Show program – to enable and encourage early-career artists – by providing ongoing support. As part of this, The Vanner Gallery has also offered an internship to one exhibiting artist, allowing them to engage with the art world from the gallery’s perspective as they develop their own practice. This initiative ensures that artists stay connected with the industry while honing their craft.
The gallery’s dedication to emerging talent and graduate exhibitors ensures that artists have a platform to develop their practice, gain recognition, and reach new audiences. Its ongoing partnership with The Graduate Art Show further underscores its commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists.
By providing consistent opportunities for growth, The Vanner Gallery remains a vital force in the art scene. Through its unwavering dedication to the artists it represents, the gallery plays a crucial role in their careers, offering not only a space to exhibit but an enduring platform for artistic exploration and growth.